DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Apr 10: The Forest Department today suspended all boat operations for tourists from Diglipur to Ross & Smith Island from tomorrow, till further notice, after a massive crocodile was reportedly sighted today by a group of tourists, boat operators, life guard and forest staffs at Ross & Smith Island beach.
When Contacted DFO of Diglipur region, Mr. Alisha Kalkoor confirmed the report and said that from tomorrow teams of Forest Department will survey the area. As per sources the croc, which was huge, was sighted near the rocky area of Ross & Smith Beach. Further details are awaited.
In A&N Island the beaches where crocodiles are seen, safe swimming zone are constructed by damaging & destroying the beauty of beach and the tourists even the Islanders are not allowed to enter the Safe swimming zone nor into the water.
Examples are the Munda Pahar BEach and Wandoor Beach.
We Islanders born and brought-up in the Island, playing enjoying in sea water from child hood as our parents take us every sunday/holidays to sea. used to swim knowing all risk and enjoying our islands, but as tourist came and increased, because of their life safety we are deprived of entering into sea, snorkeling, swimming are banned for us, what should we do and where should we take our children.
We with family used to go into forest of our Islands not and never for poaching but for enjoying the jungle trip and beaches. now its impossible.
But people from other states doing business here purchasing lands here are allowed stating study trip or many other reasons. And being an Islanders are questioned and talking rules which are not seen any where.